2005 AUTOMOTIVE NEWS 100 LEADING WOMEN AWARDS

Education: Three-year degree, RN, San Pedro Hospital school of nursing; B.S., Philippine Women's University

What your college professors didn't teach you: "No professor trained me in how to care for humanity. The majority of what I learned about business I learned in my mother's shop."

First automotive job: Occupational health nurse at Ford Motor Co.'s Utica trim plant in 1978

Most fun automotive job: "CEO."

Biggest mistake and what you learned: "Being too trusting. I have learned to be more cautious."

Proudest achievement: "Raising wonderful children and being able to quadruple the size of the company in five years."

Current challenge: "Rising material costs and keeping up with the constant change of the business climate."

On being successful: "It's just getting up each day; it's perseverance, determination and patience and never giving up."

What about the auto industry that surprised you: "The politics of the business."

What women need to know for success in the auto industry: "Learn to play the man's game."

Job to which you aspire: "I love my current job and cannot think of doing anything else but this."

What you do to relax: "Scuba diving, working out and spending time with my grandson."